How to Turn a Big Idea into Reality: Organize All Those Thoughts
In my previous post, I explained how I set goals and got to work on my ideas for my children’s book. In the next few posts, I will walk you through how I organized my ideas, how I proofread and edited my story, and how I read through my first proof copy.
Before I get into how I organized my ideas, I want to explain something I learned.
It’s this quote that I heard from my mom who heard from my dad who read a book called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. He says:
”Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.”
David Allen
To me this basically means that we shouldn’t try to keep everything in our heads.
For example, let’s say your teacher gives you the week’s homework. Instead of writing it down, you think, I’ll remember it. Then on the way home, you see an ice cream truck. Your mind totally forgets your homework and focuses on that ice cream truck. After purchasing a treat and enjoying it, you start walking home again. Now you’re home and it’s supper time, and your mom asks you, “What did you get for homework today?” That’s when you realize you’ve completely forgotten the assignment because you didn’t write it down. Thus, lists are important.
Let me give you one more example. You just wake up and you have this great idea about an art project you want to do. You start thinking about where things are going to go and how it’s going to look in the end. You know you should write it down, but you’re too tired to grab a pen and paper. When you do finally get out of bed, your mind is no longer focused on the project but coffee instead. Now your amazing idea for that great art project is gone. So the moral is, even when you don’t feel like it, it’s a good idea to write down your good ideas.
I want to share one way I write down ideas. It’s not the only way I do this, but it’s a fun and creative way to get my ideas out at first.
Let’s talk about. . . drumroll please. . .
Mind Maps!
Mind maps are really simple to do. They basically just help you get all your ideas down on paper.
Steps to creating a mind map
- Find a place to write down ideas like a white board, notebook, giant post-its, etc. (I like to use a big sheet of Post-It paper and fat, colored sharpie markers.)
- First put your Big Idea in a center circle.
- Now you can branch out with main ideas. These are the categories that make up your Big Idea. Each category can have a different color, and it helps things to look more organized.
- Next, you branch out with smaller details that help complete the main ideas.
- Then I go into an app called Mind Node which allows me to type my mind map up in an organized, easy-to-read way.
- If you want a more formal outlined look or if it’s easier for you to work with an outline, there’s a setting on Mind Node that allows for that.
- Now get ready, get set, get working!
Don’t be afraid of all those ideas floating around in your head. Just start by writing them down and you’ll get the job done in no time!
If you want to hear about how I edited my children’s book, I hope you’ll watch for my next post. I’d be happy to send it to you, too! Just take a sec to drop your name and email below. See you next time!
Want to catch up on my previous posts? Here you go!
